A new year and a new member for the Springville-GI Board

The Springville-Griffith Institute School Board held its annual reorganizational meeting on Tuesday, July 10. This meeting is traditionally held to mark the start of a new board season, which begins the first of July every year.

The board re-nominated Mel Williams as school board president. He was sworn in by Board Clerk Kathy Tucker. Also sworn in was new Board Member Kara Kane, filling a spot on the board left vacant by her husband, Jeremiah Kane. The board then re-nominated Delia Bonenberger as vice president.

Williams opened a discussion to decide when the board will meet this summer. A special meeting will be held Aug. 2 to adopt this year’s tax levy. The next regular school board meeting was scheduled for Aug. 14. The board also agreed with Williams’ suggestion to hold a school board training retreat.

In other matters:
- Board Member Joan Kelly disagreed with the board’s keeping two law firms on its legal counsel and questioned the necessity of the second law firm. School Superintendent Dr. Paul Connelly explained that a second law firm is “imperative” for the instances in which two sides within the school need to be represented.

- Board Member Janine Caimano spoke about a point on the agenda concerning who should be in charge of record appeals. Currently, Connelly hears appeals. Caimano said she believes that the superintendent should not handle appeals for records concerning himself.

- Jake Wozniak, a high school senior in the Springville District, was recognized for his award-winning skills as a cabinetmaker. Wozniak placed first in a national contest in Kansas City. He explained to the board that he intends to open a business of his own one day under the name “Lumber Jake’s.” The student’s parents, Patty and Mike Wozniak, were also in attendance.

- Changes to the upcoming school year’s code of student conduct were reviewed, with the board’s focusing on the way administrators believe students should be dressing for classes. Assistant High School Principal John Baronich gave a presentation on the updated language of the code of conduct. Williams asked, “How do you train your employees in student conduct?” Baronich and High School Principal Vincent Vanderlip said that employees would be trained regarding the changes on opening day.

- The possibility of student uniforms was discussed and received positive feedback from most of the board members, but it was acknowledged that uniform requirements would not be feasible for the upcoming school season. Vanderlip explained that homerooms will be reintroduced this fall and will function to enforce student conduct, including dress codes.

- Springville Elementary School Principal Marcole Feuz introduced a new extracurricular program for third, fourth and fifth grade girls in the district. The program, “Girls on the Run,” assigns a mentor to each participant. The mentors from Girls on the Run would help encourage the students to be active in running and participate in a 5K with them and others in the program. The board was in favor of this, but noted the necessity of a similar program for boys.

The next S-GI Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 14 at 7 p.m.